Who enters into the Lord’s rest?

7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, 9 “When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work. 10 “For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. 11 “Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest. (Psalms 95:7-11 NASB)

Those who insist that we are in a ‘post-evangelical era’ and must, therefore, radically alter not only how we do church in order to reach unbelieving people in our time, also insist that this must be accompanied by a toning down of one’s Christian convictions about the truth. We are told that the culture we are in now will not respond to those who are militant, aggressive, preachy, and extremely sure of their convictions. I ask, since when has pragmatism become how the Gospel works? Did Jesus preach and teach pragmatically or did what He taught cause a huge division between those who believed and those who didn’t? You know the answer to that. He pulled no punches. The reality of His ministry was the epitome of God’s ways not being man’s ways. All we are told to do until our Lord returns is make disciples, teaching them all that He has taught us. In the meantime we are to abide in Christ, love one another, deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus. We are to be the antithesis of world and its ways, not conforming to it in how we minister.

In light of these truths let us look at a passage from the Epistle to the Hebrews which is an exposition of Psalm 95:7-11, which I placed at the top of this post. In this exposition we will see that it is through the hearing of God’s Word that the separation between believing and unbelieving is revealed. The reaction to God’s Word by the believer reveals his or her regenerate nature, their new nature. Contrarily, the unregenerate react in a decidedly different way. Perhaps this is why the ‘post-evangelicals’ are trying to diminish any reliance on God’s Word in their ministries. They are trying to attract unbelievers to their churches so they remove all that may offend them. However, what they are removing is the very thing that God uses to change hearts.

7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “ Today if you hear His voice, 8 DO not harden your hearts as when they provoked ME, AS in the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 Where your fathers tried Me by testing Me, And saw MY works for forty years. 10 “ Therefore I was angry with this generation, And said, ‘ They always go astray in their heart, And they did not know MY ways ’; 11 AS I swore in MY wrath, ‘ They shall not enter MY rest. ’” 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 15 while it is said, “ Today if you hear His voice, DO not harden your hearts, as when they provoked ME.” 16 For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:7-19 NASB)

Who enters into God’s rest? It is those who hear His truth, believe it, and walk in it. In fact, in v14 we read, “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,” which is a clear word from God that those who are authentic Christians (they share in Christ) are the ones who remain faithful to the end. This is our perseverance and it is according to God’s grace who keeps those who are His. Who is hardened by the deceitfulness of sin? According to the context of this passage, these are the same ones who profess Christ, but who actually have an evil, unbelieving heart, which leads them to fall away (αποστηναι) from the living God. The Holy Spirit says that those in unbelief, no matter what they profess, will not enter into His rest. The Greek word αποστηναι, which is translated here as “fall away,” means “turn way from, forsake, apostatize from” (Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1). What is God’s counter to this? We read encouragement here to personal commitment and to call on the church to walk together in mutual encouragement. On the other hand, don’t we see so many in our time who remain in their ministries, but who have forsaken the truth for the lie? They are the ones demanding that we be less sure of ourselves, to be willing to be less decisive, less black and white so that we can be more acceptable to those who desire to be called Christians, but have no use for repentance, discipleship, and walking through this life as the δουλος (bond slave, slave) of Christ according to His Lordship. Those leading these people to walk in apostasy have already αποστηναι, themselves. They are in unbelief.

1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “ AS I swore in MY wrath, They shall not enter MY rest,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day:“ And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this passage, “ They shall not enter MY rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “ Today if you hear His voice, DO not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. (Hebrews 4:1-10 NASB)

In the context of these passages, the rest (καταπαυσιν) spoken of here refers to something already inaugurated, but awaiting consummation. The work to save His people has already been accomplished by God. The rest that they will enter into is a sure thing that awaits all who complete the pilgrimage through this life. Their remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. In a sense, Christians do enter into this Sabbath rest in this life. Those who do have matured and in their humility cease from the spiritual strivings, which reflect uncertainty about their final destiny. These experience the joy of the Lord knowing they are established in the presence of God, to share in the everlasting joy that He entered when He rested on the seventh day.

11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two- edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:11-13 NASB)

What does it mean to strive (σπουδασωμεν) to enter that rest? The Greek word σπουδασωμεν speaks of diligently and earnestly doing something. We are being commanded to “work” or “labor” or “strive” to enter (εισελθειν) that rest. The Greek word εισελθειν simply means to “arise” or “come in” or “go in.” Some teach that we don’t have to work at this Christian walk. They say we should just “kick back” and enjoy ourselves because all the work is done. In a sense they are right, the work that saves Christians is complete and based on Jesus’ high priestly sacrifice not on our good works. So why are we commanded to work? This is speaking of our perseverance because the opposite of it is disobedience, which is the sin of those in unbelief that did not enter into God’s rest that we read of in the book of Exodus and above in Psalm 95. So what is this saying to us who desire to be full of the joy of the Lord and to enter into our Sabbath rest when this life is done? We have our answer in vv12-13. Our walks are open to the judgment of God by His Word. We will give an account when we stand before Him. Some who profess to be Christians now will know at that moment that they had lived a lie and will find themselves being judged by their works through the Word of God. On the other hand, those who remain faithful to the end will find that their sins were paid for at the Cross and all that remains is for their works to be judged to determine rewards in their Sabbath rest. I pray that you see the difference. The genuine believer will persevere to the end. They will give an account to God, but the judgment will be of their works not themselves. The lost will find themselves judged by their works through the Word of God.

No one will be able to escape this eternal moment my brethren. I pray that all reading this who do know the Lord will strive to enter the Lord’s Sabbath rest by abiding in their Lord in humility and prayer as they devote themselves to Him as His bond slaves. To those who do not know Him as Lord, I pray that you will believe in the name of the only one who can save you. Be not unbelieving, but believing. Plead with God for you soul. Remember, it is only through the Lord Jesus that anyone can come to the Father and enter into His Rest.

Hah! Just another tactic of satan to get believers to stop sharing the gospel. But guess what? We don’t listen to satan, we don’t listen to the world and how they define ‘times’, or what we should do according to their definitions. In fact, if we did listen to them, that would make it all the more a non Christian society, and the more we obey Jesus, the more the opposite is true. We will listen to our Lord Jesus, who told us in the Great Commission to preach the gospel in all the world to every human being. And until He tells us to change it up, we will continue with at least as much boldness as before! In fact, these tactics are nothing new, and are not only here. Most countries have anti evangelism laws and this since the birth of the church, as we see below:

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4; 29-31

That is our instruction on the matter. : D
Folks, don’t listen to anything else!

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
I will be back after the holiday and probably with a new email account. ( ;

Therefore, I urge you brothers through the compassions of God to present your bodies as living, holy sacrifices, well pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service. And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may discern the will of God, that which is good and well pleasing and perfect.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. (Colossians 1:24-26 ESV)

The way of escape

"To believe that He will preserve us is, indeed, a means of preservation. God will certainly preserve us, and make a way of escape for us out of the temptation, should we fall. We are to pray for what God has already promised. Our requests are to be regulated by His promises and commands. Faith embraces the promises and so finds relief." - John Owen

How to be free from bondage to our flesh and temptation

"If we do not abide in prayer, we will abide in temptation. Let this be one aspect of our daily intercession: 'God, preserve my soul, and keep my heart and all its ways so that I will not be entangled.' When this is true in our lives, a passing temptation will not overcome us. We will remain free while others lie in bondage." - John Owen

Meta

About me

My name is Mike Ratliff. I am a δοῦλος (slave) of the Κύριον ᾿Ιησοῦν Χριστόν (Lord Jesus Christ.) I have been a Bible teacher since the late 1980's. I am currently learning Koine Greek, which I began in 1992 and will continue to do so until the Lord takes me home. I am Reformed in my theology because I recognize that God is Sovereign over all things. I write these posts as God directs. I am also part of the discernment team at Christian Research Network.

OTHERS MAY, YOU CANNOT

by G. D. Watson

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25

If God has called you to be truly like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility. He will put on you such demands of obedience that you will not be allowed to follow other Christians. In many ways, He seems to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.

Others who seem to be very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and scheme to carry out their plans, but you cannot. If you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others can brag about themselves, their work, their successes, their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing. If you begin to do so, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others will be allowed to succeed in making great sums of money, or having a legacy left to them, or in having luxuries, but God may supply you only on a day-to-day basis, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, a helpless dependence on Him and His unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward while keeping you hidden in obscurity because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade.

God may let others be great, but keep you small. He will let others do a work for Him and get the credit, but He will make you work and toil without knowing how much you are doing. Then, to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work which you have done; this to teach you the message of the Cross, humility, and something of the value of being cloaked with His nature.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, and with a jealous love rebuke you for careless words and feelings, or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over.

So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign and has a right to do as He pleases with His own, and that He may not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you.

God will take you at your word. If you absolutely sell yourself to be His slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love and let other people say and do many things that you cannot. Settle it forever; you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue or chaining your hand or closing your eyes in ways which others are not dealt with. However, know this great secret of the Kingdom: When you are so completely possessed with the Living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of heaven, the high calling of God.